One of the most important lessons I've learned through my career change journey is that if left to think about things by myself I would spend an eternity over analyzing what I wanted, making half-hearted attempts at a career change, and letting my fear, insecurity, and doubt stop me from making any meaningful progress.
Are You In The Cycle Of Stuck?
For me and my clients, I refer to this space as the cycle of stuck. Where you find yourself stuck in a career you don't want to be in, you dream about a better, more fulfilling one, but talk yourself out of it because (insert reasons here), so you stay right where you are because taking any action feels too hard or risky.
But feeling stuck is a normal part of the career change process. The reason is that there are three common challenges people who want to find a fulfilling career face; 1.) They have a lack of clarity, they don't know what they want; 2.) They have a lack of strategy, they don't know how to get what they want, and 3.) They have a lack of confidence, they don't feel good enough to get what they want. So if trying to figure out what you want to do next feels like an overwhelming task that could end up in failure it is no wonder that staying in your comfort zone is the more attractive choice even though you no longer want to be there.
Get Out Of Your Own Way With The Help Of Public Accountability
Luckily, I recognized that I couldn't solve this problem on my own. I knew I needed help but I had no one to turn to. While my friends and family were helpful in other ways I needed someone who knew what I was going through and could help me get unstuck.
That is when I signed up to take a personal development class that was full of people just like me who wanted to work on the inner game of success. I didn't need help updating my resume or someone to tell me to do more networking. I needed someone to help me see all the ways my thinking was flawed and how my fears and beliefs were holding me back. Thanks to the strong relationships I made in that class I was able to get the right kind of coaching and accountability I needed to finally make progress on my career goals.
I learned how my fears and limiting beliefs were holding me back. I had the choice to view my situation from a place of fear or a place of opportunity. When I changed my perspective I started taking actions that I had never taken before. And it was all due to surrounding myself with the right people who were there to encourage me and help me push past my fears. With my new level of self-awareness, I suddenly felt like what I wanted was possible if I was willing to put in the work. And eventually, by putting in the work, I was able to make a successful career change doing work that I love.
How To Create Your Own Accountability Group
There are many ways you can structure an accountability group, also referred to as a mastermind group. I will provide some basic rules and structures that I have found helpful.
Surround yourself with like-minded people who want to see you win.
The most effective groups consist of people who have a common goal like wanting to find a new job, make a career change, build a side hustle, become a better public speaker, write a book, etc. Keep in mind that not everyone in the group will be at the same point in the journey, some may be further along or more experienced while some might be just getting started. This kind of diversity should be expected and welcomed.
Make sure the members are positive and are people who like to contribute and participate. You don't want someone just showing up for themselves and not contributing to the other members of the group. I think small groups of 5-7 people work best. The small size allows for everyone to get the attention they need. I've been in larger groups (20+ people) where I can hide if I want to so I don't end up getting the help I need. Know yourself and what works for you.
Agree on the purpose and structure of the group.
Everyone should agree on the rules and format and have a good understanding of what they want to get out of the group. Common rules and formats include confidentiality, being a safe space to voice fears and concerns and sharing wins, giving everyone in the group a set amount of time to share goals and get feedback.
For example, in a group that I run, we use a 90 Day worksheet to write down the big goal and the weekly milestones we want to hit. Then we meet every Monday morning for an hour to talk about what we accomplished, what we are struggling with, and what we want to accomplish by the next session. Each person gets 10 minutes to speak and everyone is focused on helping them with their situation. It is like getting 10 minutes of laser-focused coaching from 5 other people.
Make it fun and meaningful
In our group we laugh a lot, we track our wins on a chart filled with gold stars, and we bring snacks. And we ask each other the hard questions, we don't let each other slide, we don't let people off the hook. We push each other to look at what we could do better, we help each other get clear on our goals, and we motivate each other to hit our goals.
How will you achieve your career goals this year?
At the end of the day, thinking about your goals is a good first step but you need to take action if you want to achieve them. You need to have systems in place to consistently work on your goals. If you have been struggling to take the next step in your career by yourself then consider adopting a new strategy. An accountability group could be just the support you need to get out of your own way and make the progress you've been wanting to make.
If you want to learn how my 90 Day Accountability Group could help you sign up for a free 30-minute consult here.
CALL TO ACTION
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mo Chanmugham, Esq., CPCC, ACC is a former entertainment lawyer turned executive career coach and the founder of MGC Coaching. He helps ambitious professionals who are feeling stuck gain the clarity and confidence they need to create more fulfilling careers.